Wave operated pump



May 12, 1931. J. R. SWIFT WAVE OPERATED PUMP Filed April 1, 1930 5 5 INVENTOR.

James R Swift BY 5 52 ATTORNEY.

Patented May 12, 1931 UNITED STATES JAMES R. SWIFT, OF HIGHLAND, NEW YbRK WAVE OPERATED PUMP Application filed April 1, 1930. Serial No. 440,669.

This invention relates to a wave operated pump, of that class where the force of the waves in rivers or the ocean is utilized to lift a float, which by its reciprocal motion will through a train of gears rotate a shaft upon which is mounted either air compressors or pumps.

These devices may be mounted singly or more'on a suitable base under the water near the shore, and suitable piping employed for leading either the compressed air or the water pumped to storage means located on the shore.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of this class that shall be simple, du-

rable and efficient, contain few parts and be operative at all times and in all weather conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the float may be automatically shifted to maintain itself in the proper direction with the waves.

In carrying out the invention, I have here shown the device as applied to air compressors, and have employed a small size with the proper ratio of gearing so that by a small lift and fall of the float the pump will receive the required number of strokes and of the full length required.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel construction and combination of parts as will hereinafter be fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like figures of reference refer to corresponding parts in all of the views, but it is understood that slight changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings V Figure 1, is a side elevation of the device.

Figure 2, is a top plan view of the same.

Figure 3, is a vertical sectional View of the head, showing a rear view thereof, and a part of the standard. v

Figure 4, is a partial vertical sectional view of the head taken from the side.

Referring to the drawings r A suitable base of concrete or other material is placed in the bed of the river or other location, and upon this is mounted a tubular standard 11, upon the upper end of which is mounted in a freely swiveling manner a head 12 within which is rotatably mounted a shaft 13 upon the outer ends of which are rigidly secured the ends of a yokearm 14, the outer end of which is provided with a float 15. p

Within the head casing 12 are mounted two air compressors 16 of the usual type havlng a common operating shaft 17 connecting them together, and an outlet or discharge pipe 18, connected to a T-fitting 19.having a swivel connection 20 and the discharge pipe 21 leading to the shore.

On the air compressor shaft 17 is secured a gear pinion 22 which is in mesh with and driven by a gear 23 secured on the shaft 13 and which is rocked or partly rotated in both directions by the action of the yoke M as raised and lowered by the float 15 by the action of the passing waves, the gear ratio being so arranged that the pinion 22 is rotated in a sufficient manner to operate the compressors by a slight movement of the gear 23.

To automatically change the position of the arm 14: and float 15 to change with the direction of the flow of the waves, the head 12 is mounted upon the standard 11 so that it may 7 freely swivel, and this is accomplished by a tubular member 24 which embraces and swivels upon the upper part of the standard 11 and has its upper end shouldered and retained in the lower part of the casing or head 12 by a flanged washer 25 and the screws 26, so that the head 12 may freely rotate upon the standard, and also by the swivel connection 20 the air pipe is taken care of as well.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A wave operated pump, comprising in combination with a vertical tubular standard having a base and an air outlet, said standard reduced in diameter near its upper end, a tubular member mounted thereon in a freely rotatable manner, a closed head mounted thereon and rotatable therewith, a transverse shaft rotatably mounted in said head with its ends projecting therefrom, a float operated arm secured to the ends of said shaft, a pair of air compressors mounted within said head and piped to the air outlet, a compressor shaft for operating said air compressors, a gear secured thereon and a gear secured on the transverse shaft in said head and in mesh with and adapted to rotate the gear on the compressorsha'ft.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JAMES R. s IF 

